Elwood G. and Donald G. Tewksbury papers, 1872 -- 1959

Elwood G. and Donald G. Tewksbury papers, 1872 -- 1959

This series contains the papers of Elwood G., Donald G., and M. Gardner Tewksbury. The papers of Elwood G. Tewksbury including clippings and correspondence, and primarily document his ordination, missionary activities in China, and role in the Boxer Siege of Peking in 1900. There are also notes and a manuscript which document Tewksbury's work on Chinese hymnology. The series includes a set of 20 posters in Chinese produced or distributed by the China Sunday School Union 主日學合會 and the Chinese Catholic Literature Society. The CSSU was formed in 1910 with the support of the British Sunday School Union, and E.G. Tewsbury served as its first general secretary. These posters were evidently produced for a Chinese audience as promotional media and as visual didactic aids. Though some posters feature images from European Christian art, many of the designs are modeled on Chinese aesthetics, both traditional and modern. There is also a large, brush-written poster in Chinese, written on the occasion of Tewksbury's return to the United States. Digital images of these items, as well as metadata describing their content, are available for consultation on a CDR in Box 2, Folder 6. Assorted newspaper clippings and correspondence document the experience of the Tewksbury family in the British legation during the Boxer siege of Peking, including a copy of a message seeking help for the besieged with hand-drawn map, notes and diagrams on defense of British legation, and correspondence between Tewksbury and officials of the United States legation and military. The series also contains an official communication in Chinese between Qing officials discussing military preparations and the arrest and execution of foreigners and converts. An English translation is included. There is also a list in Chinese of local bands mustered during the Boxer Rebellion, as well as over ninety black and white prints extracted from publications. Subject matter include the Boxer Rebellion, missions and missionaries, Chinese Christians, legations in Peking, street scenes, and various historical figures. The papers of Donald G. Tewksbury include manuscript copies of his papers, book reviews, and teaching materials on the history of China, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. The papers of M. Gardner Tewksbury include a collection of Western accounts of the Communist revolution as well as notes and other published and manuscript materials on modern China. Finally, the series contains a bound, wooden photo album containing pictures of the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. The photographs were taken by C. A. Killie, who was in the same group as Elwood Tewksbury during the siege.

This series is unarranged.